Newsletter

Posted April 30, 2012 04:00 pm

From Staff

News & Notes

Jewish heritage

Jewish heritage

The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will mark Jewish American Heritage Month 2012 by hosting a Roundtable Discussion/Open Forum on the work and direction of the organization. Participating will be Flagler College’s Professor John Diviney, University of Florida doctoral candidate Diana Reigelsperger and Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, among others. The program begins at 6 p.m. May 9 in Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center-Gamache Koger Auditorium on King Street. The forum, which has been sanctioned by the Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition, is open to the public. There is no charge and no advance arrangements are necessary.

Library talk

The Friends of the Library will host Martha D. Peterson, author of the new memoir “The Widow Spy,” at the Southeast Branch of St. Johns County Library, 6670 U.S. 1 South at 2 p.m. May 7.

This new book is the first-hand account of a true Cold War spy operation in Moscow finally told by the CIA case officer who lived the experience. Peterson was one of a small group of women in the CIA in the early 70’s who was trained to be operation or case officers, recruiting and managing foreign agents around the world. One of the first women assigned to Moscow, she worked covertly for nearly two years, placing dead drops and recovering secret packages before being ambushed and arrested by the KGB. In her 32-year career Peterson won several awards including the George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism.

Following her talk, Peterson will be available to answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.

Voter outreach

The voter outreach program sponsored by the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections office continues, as representatives from the office attend public events and activities throughout the county in an effort to register voters.

In addition voter records are updated and election information is distributed.

An events calendar has been placed on the office’s website at www.votesjc.com.

■ An International Migratory Bird Day program begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Kids, teens and families are invited to spring into the library for the annual bird day! Enjoy Jacksonville Zoo’s special bird presentation and fun family crafts, games, and activities.

■ Financial Planning for Seniors is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9. The FICPA (Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants) presents a day-long workshop which covers the topics of Social Security, estate planning, tax planning, and investment management. Call 827-6900 to register for certain sessions or the whole day’s workshop:

The Homeless Coalition of St Johns County and Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry are partnering to distribute Free Food Bags for persons in need in St. Johns County from 1 to 3 p.m. May 9 and 23. Distributed will be 8,400 pounds of produce, dairy, deli and bakery items.

The Mobile Food Pantry will be set up at the Homeless Coalition’s Transitional Housing Office located at 62 Chapin St in West Augustine.

Volunteers are needed to register applicants and distribute the food. Call 824-6623.

■ Discover the time and water-saving benefits of native plants during a special program from 2 to 4 p.m. May 17 at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center auditorium, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive.

Florida natives are a cost-effective alternative to other plants. Using native plants in your landscape becomes even more valuable as fresh water continues to be one of our most precious natural resources. The program is free and open to the public, hosted by the St. Johns County Extension Service. Information: 209-0430 or www.nativeplantconsulting.com.

■ Ned’s Southside Kitchen, 2450 U.S. 1 South, has partnered with GI Associates to help raise funds for the team that will be participating in the May 5 CCFA (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America) Take Steps Walk. It is estimated that as many as 1.4 million Americans live with the effects of one of these two diseases! Now you can help!

Dine at Ned’s today between 6 and 9 p.m., and Ned will donate a portion of the check to the GI Associates team that will be participating in the national Take Steps Walk. Information: 794-2088 or visit www.nedssouthside.com.